HarbourView Equity Partners said on Thursday (May 29) that it has acquired “select catalog assets” from Grammy Award-winning producer and singer-songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that HarbourView has acquired Jerkins’ producer royalty income streams. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The transaction arrives four years after Jerkins struck a deal with Hipgnosis Songs Fund, which at the time said it acquired 100% of Jerkins’ Writer’s Share of Income in his early works and 100% of his Publishing interest and Writer’s Share of Income in his later works, which in total comprise 982 songs.
HarbourView said that the latest deal was facilitated by Chapter Two, a Swedish music technology company that, according to the official announcement, “specializes in advanced royalty data analytics and music rights transactions.”
“This transaction is a clear sign that creators are realizing the true value of their work faster and more transparently than ever before,” said Michel Traore, CEO of Chapter Two.
“Rodney is setting a new benchmark in the industry, and we thank HarbourView for their vision in working with us.”
Jerkins is a multi-Grammy Award-winner who has worked with the biggest names in music, including Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Drake, SZA, Monica, Toni Braxton, and Mary J. Blige.
His list of megahits includes Joe’s Don’t Wanna Be a Player, Mary J. Blige/Lil’ Kim’s I Can Love You, Brandy & Monica’s The Boy is Mine, Monica’s Angel of Mine, Destiny’s Child’s No.11 pop hit Say My Name which won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2000, Justin Bieber’s As Long As You Love Me, Lady Gaga/Beyonce’s Telephone, H.E.R.’s Hard Place, Sam Smith’s Stay With Me which won a Grammy Award for “Record of the Year” in 2014, and many more.
Since its inception in 2021, HarbourView reports to have amassed roughly $2.67 billion in regulatory assets under management including over 75 music catalogs to date and investments in two media production companies, MACRO and Mucho Mas Media.
The firm says its catalog features more than 41,000 songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams.
The company’s portfolio of music assets includes T-Pain, James Fauntleroy, George Benson, Noel Zancanella, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Nelly, Jeremih, Wiz Khalifa, Kane Brown, Full Force and more.
Last year, HarbourView secured $500 million in debt financing led by investment giant KKR.
“Rodney is setting a new benchmark in the industry, and we thank HarbourView for their vision in working with us.”
Michel Traore, Chapter Two
In an interview with MBW last year, Founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke said HarbourView has a “global audience frame” and is “focused on building an investment firm across the entertainment, media, and sports segments. We invest in things outside of music [and] what that creates is a very rich ecosystem. It is more than acquiring only music and music catalogs.”
Fox Rothschild served as legal counsel to HarbourView in this transaction. Jerkins was represented by Pamela L. Klein of Rossi Baldivia Klein Fine & Spector, P.C.
“We are honored to welcome him to the HarbourView family and humbled by his decision to join us.”
Sherrese Clarke
“At HarbourView, our mission is to curate a canon of work that represents the very best of global culture which is why it is essential that the contributions of legendary creators like Rodney Jerkins continue to be recognized, preserved, and celebrated,” said Sherrese Clarke, Founder and CEO of HarbourView.
” We are honored to welcome him to the HarbourView family and humbled by his decision to join us.”
“HarbourView truly understands the value of music and the people who create it.”
Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins
Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins added: “HarbourView truly understands the value of music and the people who create it.
“Music creators deserve respect and clarity when it comes to selling their life’s work, and working with both HarbourView and Chapter Two has made that process feel seamless.”Music Business Worldwide
